Gray Levett is Back From The Front

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Monday 25th June 2007
Gray Levett


I often reflect upon the odd things that shape one's life without one really knowing it. My interest in photography was ignited after I saw Michelangelo Antonioni's movie Blow-Up, in which David Hemmings plays Thomas, a successful, yet bored, English fashion photographer. The film has been described as a baffling, beautiful critique of the 'swinging London' of the 1960s. I have held Blow-Up in some affection since that time.

In my teens, my interests were broadly divided into music, photography, reading and film. I read voraciously and carried a camera wherever I went. In those bygone days I walked almost everywhere, often covering seven to ten miles per day. Walking enables you see things others speeding past in their cars do not. I took roll after roll of film, shooting rock bands in London's sweaty clubs, and then I would escape into the forests. I enjoyed myself immensely but had little idea what the future held except that somehow photography and music would, I hoped, become a part of it.

Blow-Up was released during an extraordinary period of cultural change. The music of the mid-1960s was new and exciting. One band, The Soul Agents, became local heroes, especially after introducing a new singer named Rod Stewart. Rod, himself, snuck my cousin and me into gigs in our hometown under the improbable assertion that we were roadies. I was determined to capture this atmosphere on film and reasoned that perhaps the equipment I desired might be more affordable if I worked in a camera shop.

My first job in the photographic world was at Hartle Photographic, a camera shop in Bournemouth. The proprietor was not only knowledgeable of cameras and photography but possessed an old-fashioned psyche that pursued with absolute conviction the concept of pre-Second World War methods of dealing with customers. He worked like a drill sergeant and put his staff through a similar regime, involving us in daily cleaning, dusting and presentation. He also demanded we show customers impeccable manners and unflappable professionalism at all times.

The hardest part of this apprenticeship was the daily quiz. He would walk up unannounced and say something like 'Focal plane shutter – definition?' If you lagged with your answer it was off to the nearest photographic dictionary, and you would go back and forth between study and reciting the answer until you had it right. This went on for nearly a year, and for the rebel in me it was a hard bullet to bite. Then about a year later, something unexpected happened.

I moved to London and went for an interview at a photographic store in W1. I was questioned intensively and my responses were immediate, confident and without hesitation. All my studying of photographic nomenclature and learning how to provide a professional service suddenly clicked. I realised that my much-cursed boss had given me a precious gift. He made me competent in a subject I had little prior knowledge in, and I was prepared to deal with nearly any query. Most importantly, he taught me that a full knowledge of one's trade and complete professionalism are tools that can open doors. The one thing I have noticed over the years is that the most successful shops have training programmes on these key elements as a matter of importance.

For the record my old boss's name was Mr. Hartle. He had a first name but I would never have dreamed of using it, and even today I cannot bring myself to call him by his first name. Somehow it would not be right. It might break just the spell.

My name is Gray Levett. I was born in England in 1948.
I now live in London running a photographic company. I spend a large part of my life with artists and photographers or those who desire to create using a camera.
Prior to this I was in the music business and traveled extensively.
I now combine a love of music and photography in my work and leisure

I had, for many years, been searching for the answers to hundreds of questions about life. The answers were not to be found at my school, or indeed after I left school in my other areas or subjects I encountered.

It is true to say that all the things I tried were well-meaning but none were definite or applicable to life.

Scientology, however, was and is very different. It is so very applicable to dealing with the ups and downs of life.

When one is overshadowed by doubts and worries, losses or grief, etc, Scientology has the tool to take you upwards.

From the very early studies, I completely dealt with the subject of study. This proved very useful because I now felt able to study and apply whatever I studied.

I find now that all of life is open to me.

I have never looked back.

I have a happy marriage, good friends and a successful business.

Scientology was the tool I used and it works so very, very effectively.